State PCS

• 16 Jun 2022

Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Approves Transfer Policy, 2022

Why in News?

• The Transfer Policy, 2022 was approved in the meeting of the Uttar Pradesh cabinet chaired by the Chief Minister on June 14, 2020. Under this policy, transfers will be done from June 15 to 30. This policy is for the year 2022-23.

Key Points

• Under this, arrangements have been made for transfer by Group 'A' and 'B' officers on completion of 3 years in the district and 7 years in the Mandal.
• Group A and B transfers can be made up to a maximum of 20 percent of the number of officers and employees working cadre wise and up to a maximum of 10 percent of the number of employees working cadre-wise in Groups C and D.
• Arrangements have been made for the transfer of Group B and C personnel on the basis of merit based online transfer system.
• Arrangements have been made to strictly follow the mandate of Group C personnel regarding change of panels and change of area.
• In the meeting, the proposal for recruitment to 40 thousand posts of police was also approved. About one and a half dozen proposals of various departments including agriculture, higher education, infrastructure and industrial development, medicine and health, medical education, tourism and culture were discussed in the meeting.

8 Lakh People Will do Yoga in Tajnagri

Why in News?

• On June 15, 2022, Tajnagari Agra District Magistrate Prabhu N. Singh said that this year, more than 8 lakh people will perform yoga at around 150 places in Agra district.

Key Points

• Around 8 lakh people will perform yoga at tourist places, monuments, parks and other open places. For this, the target has been distributed to the departments.
• Apart from departments, NGOs, social and educational institutions will participate. The duties of magistrate, SDM, ADM and other officers have been deployed for coordination.
• The district magistrate said that there will be a grand event at Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Fort, Etmad-Ud-Daula and other tourist places. Apart from departments, NGOs, social and educational institutions will participate.
• The main yoga camps will be held from gram panchayat level to development block, tehsil and district level. The collective and personal information of yoga practice will be uploaded on the AYUSH Kavach app.

Lifelong Pension on Low Income of Disabled Children

Why in News?

• In the mandate issued by the state government on June 15, 2022, it has been said that the disabled child of the deceased government employee or pensioner will be entitled to family pension for life.

Key Points

• The State Government has fixed income norms in respect of family pension to the children of retired or deceased employees of the State Government and pensioners suffering from mental or physical disabilities.
• According to the order, if the overall income of the child with disabilities is less than the family pension admissible at the simple rate and the dearness relief admissible thereon, he will get this benefit.
• In such cases, the financial benefit shall be payable from the date of issue of this order and no arrears shall be sanctioned for the period commencing from the date of death of a Government servant, pensioner or former pensioner.

Now Hospitals Can be Named After the Donors of Land

Why in News?

• On June 14, 2022, the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet meeting approved the new rules framed by the health department, under which if a person donates his land for the hospital, the concerned hospital can be named after him or her family.

Key Points

• So far, government hospitals in the state are constructed on village society or other government land. This land is far away from the populated area. In such a situation, doctors and medical personnel are reluctant to stay here. Having a hospital in a deserted area also affects their security.
• In the survey of the health department, it was revealed that if the population remains a hospital in the area, then there will be better arrangements for its maintenance and safety. In view of this, the Health Department has framed new rules regarding acquisition and purchase of land for construction of hospital. Under this rule, the health department will now be able to buy land and build a hospital in the populated area.
• Similarly, it has also been given the option that if a person donates the land of the populated area, the concerned hospital can be named after him or his family. The land owner can also get the same amount of government land in a remote area by donating land of the populated area to the hospital.
• The new rules also provide that while constructing the new hospital, it will be seen that there is no government hospital already within a radius of one kilometer of the area concerned. Similarly, norms of distance from community and district hospitals have also been fixed.

Amendment in Senior Citizen Pilgrimage Scheme, 2022

Why in News?

• On June 15, 2022, the Government of Rajasthan has issued a revised order to read the age of senior citizen as 70 years or above instead of 65 years under the Senior Citizen Tirth Yatra Scheme, 2022.

Key Points

• Under this scheme, 18,000 senior citizens will be given pilgrimage by rail route and 2,000 senior citizens by air. In all, under the Senior Citizen Pilgrimage Scheme, 20,000 senior citizens will visit pilgrimage sites across the country free of cost this time.
• The person eligible for the journey must be a native of Rajasthan and above the age of 60 years. The age will be calculated as the base on April 1, 2022, i.e. he is born before April 1, 1962.
• As per the order of the Government, the Commissioner, Department of Devasthan shall have the power to allow the interested eligible persons who had applied in the event of vacancies during rail and air travel.
• The online application process for the pilgrimage will begin in the second week of June, which will continue till June, 30.
• Senior citizens will now be able to take a helper along with them during the pilgrimage in the pilgrimage scheme, elderly people above 70 years of age and persons with disabilities above 60 years of age.

Formation of Three Water Distribution Committees

Why in News?

• On June 15, 2022, the Government of Rajasthan, by issuing a notification, constituted three water distribution committees comprising water user associations under the jurisdiction of Executive Engineer Water Courses Section-II, Indira Gandhi Canal Project, Jaisalmer and marked their areas.

Key Points

• According to the notification, Aasutar Water Distribution Committee, Aasutar Distributors of Ramgarh Tehsil of Jaisalmer district, Water Users Sangam first, second, third, fourth; Aasutar Minor Water Users Sangam 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th; Bandi Minor Water Users Association I, II; Bhakri Minor Water Users' Association; Ghotaru Minor Water Users Sangam I, II, III, IV; Ramoz Minor Water Users' Association; Cheetah Minor Water Users Association and Doyata Minor Water Users Association will be the first, second, third.
• Similarly, Dattatreya Minor Water Users Sangam, Dattatreya Sub Minor Water Users Sangam of Ramgarh Tehsil under Mir Ka Tar Water Distribution Committee; Meer Ka Tar Distributorship Water User Sangam; GDM-5 Water Users Association; Manuhar Minor Water User Association; GDM-6 Water User Association; Navatala Distributary Water Users Sangam; GDM-7 Water Users Association and SS Minor Water Users Association.
• GDM-8 Water Users Sangam of Ramgarh Tehsil under Dhanana Jal Distribution Committee; Rablau Distributary Water Users' Sangam; GDM-9 Water User Association; Bhuwana Distributary Water Users Sangam; Dhanana Distributary Water Users Sangam I, II, III; Sankhla Minor Water Users Association; Dhanana Minor Water User Sangam I, II; Dhanana Sub Minor Water Users' Association; Gurukanya Minor and Sub Minor Water Users Sangam and GDM-10 Water Users Sangam have been included.
• It is noteworthy that about 60 thousand 146 hectares of irrigated area will be benefited from the water user associations included under these three water distribution societies.

Preparing for Prospecting in Bhilwara, Chittorgarh and Rajsamand

Why in News?

• On June 15, 2022, Additional Chief Secretary, Mines Department of Rajasthan State Dr. Subodh Agrawal informed that places have been identified for the work of exploration of Copper, Gold, Lead, Zinc and Silver at three places of the state.

Key Points

• The discovery of minerals in Bhilwara, Chittorgarh and Rajsamand districts of the State will be carried out by Rajasthan State Mineral Exploration Trust (RSMET) in financial collaboration with National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET).
• Copper and gold in about 700 hectares at Devtalai in Bhilwara; Copper in about 500 hectares at Bhagal in Chittorgarh; Lead and zinc in 600 hectares in Amargarh, Bhilwara; Five plots will be set up for mining by exploring copper in 200 hectares at Karauli in Rajsamand and about 3500 hectares in Sindesar in Rajsamand.
• He said that this fund will also encourage innovations and also ensure participation of students from universities and technical institutions in the survey work so that the students get the opportunity to study practically.
• He said that efforts will be made to get RSMET the status of National Exploration Agency so that RSMET can become a national identity as an expert body in mineral exploration and mining.
• Director of Mines K.B. Pandya informed that through RSMET, structural tools are being provided to the departmental laboratory and the drilling wing. This will give further impetus to mining exploration work in the state.

DS Group Launches Hydro Economic Zone

Why in News?

• Recently DS (Dharampal Satyapal) group launched the second 'Jal Economic Zone' (an integrated watershed development project) in Khandwa and Betul districts of Madhya Pradesh.

Key Points

• The DS Group has launched this development project in Madhya Pradesh after successfully implementing the first programme (hydro economic zone) in Alsegarh and Kurabad watershed areas in Udaipur.
• The proposed intervention will be implemented in 3000-hectare area of Barud gram panchayat in Chaigaon Makhan block of Khandwa district and 2400-hectare area of Dabhona gram panchayat in Athener block of Betul district.
• The company has partnered with grassroots organizations - Arpan Seva Sansthan and Haritika - for the implementation of the project in these two districts.
• The 'Creation of Hydro Economic Zone' through integrated watershed development projects focuses on enhancing natural resources, especially water and soil, to increase its productivity.
• These projects include construction of recharging and storage structures, renovation of existing inert or underutilized water bodies, soil conservation measures, introduction of efficient irrigation practices and creation of institutions for long-term sustainability.
• Water availability at the surface and subsurface level increases manifold due to watershed structures, leading to an increase in irrigated area and improved crop productivity, resulting in improved economic conditions of communities in intervention zones.
• The project promotes efficient use of water through better irrigation practices such as drip irrigation and rain guns along with harvesting of climate-friendly crops.
• To ensure long-term sustainability, the company empowers local communities and builds institutions such as water use groups, farmers' groups, or any other appropriate community institutions.
• It may be mentioned that DS Group, established in the year 1929, is a multi-business corporation and one of the leading FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) groups with a strong Indian and international presence.

Haryana Government Will Give Ownership Rights to the Nomads

Why in News?

• On June 15, 2022, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced to give ownership rights to the people belonging to the nomadic caste who have been occupying the land for 20 years in the state.

Key Points

• The Chief Minister made these announcements after hearing the problems of the representatives of nomadic caste at the Janata Darbar at Kabir Kutir, the chief minister's residence.
• The Chief Minister said that till March 31, 2000, if it has been 20 years since the people of the nomadic caste have lived and they have any kind of evidence, the government will take the land in their name.
• The condition for this is that the land should not be more than 200 yards and some payment will be taken for this. Apart from this, people of nomadic caste identified through family identity card, whose income is less than Rs 1.80 lakh per annum, will also be given houses through the Housing for All department.

Orders to Remove All sawmills in Forest Area of Jharkhand

Why in News?

• On June 15, 2022, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has issued orders to the Forest Department to remove all sawmills falling within a radius of 5 km from the forest area.

Key Points

• The Chief Minister of the state has issued this order while rejecting the proposal of the Forest Department, in which it was requested to regularize the saw mills operating within a radius of five km from the forest area before 1996 in the state.
• The far-reaching impact of this decision of Hemant Soren will be seen on the forest and environment of the state in the coming days. This will also check illegal felling of wood in the forests. In addition, wild fauna, forests and flora will also be protected.
• It is to be known that earlier the Chief Minister had also given strict instructions to close the illegal mine operating in the state. In this regard, he said that action would be taken against the senior officers of the district where illegal mines would be operated.
• The people of Koylanchal region have benefited the most from this, where there have been many accidents due to illegal mining, while repeated explosions in the mine have adversely affected their houses including pollution.

Ranchi's Kritika Received the Impact Award

Why in News?

• On June 15, 2022, Kritika Singh from Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand state, was honored with the Impact Media Award at a function held in Mumbai. This award was presented to Kritika by Padmashree Prasoon Joshi.

Key Points

• The award has been given to 28-year-old Kritika for her influential personality in the Under-30s, discharging her duties responsibly, helping people and playing an important role in the country's important projects.
• Kritika is currently working as the Contact Group Head for Wavemaker Global, under which various campaigns have been successfully conducted.
• Earlier, Kritika has also been awarded the MSL Group Maestro Award Individual for her outstanding performance in the year 2016.
• Kritika has worked on important projects on OTT platforms, web content, TV partnerships, marketing sponsorships and as a marketing influencer.
• Apart from social responsibility, Kritika had contributed significantly to the Swachh Bharat Mission run by the Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India and the Kovid Vaccination and 'Malaria No More' campaign of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Hackathon Competition Started at Police Headquarters Nava Raipur

Why in News?

• On June 15, 2022, a hackathon competition named Hack-Manthan was inaugurated in the chief hospitality of Chhattisgarh Director General of Police Ashok Juneja.

Key Points

• It may be recalled that in order to find a solution to the technical problems of the police, a hackathon competition called 'Hack-Manthan' is being organized by the Chhattisgarh Police in collaboration with the International Institute of Information Technology (Triple IT) Nava Raipur from May 27, 2022 .
• Additional Superintendent of Police (Technical Services) Kavi Gupta said that the month-long competition will include 460 teams from technical institutes associated with IT from across the country, such as IITs, NITs, Triple IT, etc.
• On the basis of the accepted applications, in the first phase, efforts will be made by the participants to find a solution to the problem statements issued for hackathons from 13th June to 20th June through coding.
• A total of 12 teams will be shortlisted for the final round after the first round of competition. The final phase will be held on June 29, 2022 at Hotel Marriott, Raipur, wherein solution presentations prepared (by themselves) by the selected teams will be given.
• On the basis of these presentations, the first, second and third winners will be announced, who will be awarded cash prizes of Rs 80,000, Rs 40,000, and Rs 20,000 respectively.
• Pradeep Gupta, Head of Technical Services and Additional Director General of Police, said that in order to make the hackathon relevant and interesting, technical problems faced in real life policing have been included in this competition in the form of problem statements, which include - Cryptocurrency based Solutions for tracking of transactions, policing upgradation of feeds received from CC TV cameras, filtering of emergency calls received in dial 112 and speech emotion recognition, sentiment analysis of social media posts and crime data analysis.
• Assistant Inspector General of Police (Technical Services) Manish Sharma said that applications from more than 1200 participants have been received from all over the country in this national level competition, which shows the success of this competition. In this competition, the corporate world is also making joint efforts with the police.
• Pradeep Sinha, Director, Triple IT, said in a statement that this is the first event of its kind by the police department and triple IT and there is a need to organize such a competition in the future as well.

Nanda Gaura Yojana

Why in News?

• On June 15, 2022, Uttarakhand's Women Empowerment and Child Development Minister Rekha Arya told that the state government has made a provision of Rs 500 crore in the budget to give the benefit of 'Nanda Gaura Yojna'.

Key Points

• With this, more than 61 thousand daughters of poor families of the state will get the benefit of 'Nanda Gaura Yojana' for the year 2022-23. Through the scheme, an amount of 11 thousand is given on the birth of daughters coming from general category to scheduled caste, scheduled tribe and other backward classes and 51 thousand on passing Inter, so that the daughters continue their further studies after passing Inter.
• Due to lack of budget in this welfare scheme, 61,890 daughters of poor families could not get the benefit of 'Nanda Gaura Yojana' from the year 2019-20 to the year 2021-22. On behalf of the department, 1421 daughters in the year 2019-20, 16,336 in the year 2020-21 and 44,133 in the year 2021-22 did not get the benefit of the scheme.
• According to a report of the department, in the year 2019-20, 27,239, in the year 2020-21, only 31,043 daughters have been given financial assistance under the scheme, while in the year 2021-22, not a single eligible daughter got the benefit of the scheme.
• According to departmental officials, a demand of Rs 375 crore was made from the government so that daughters could get the benefit of the scheme, but on the contrary, only Rs 60 crore was received.